2023 Husker Harvest Days, (Brian Neben, Central Nebraska Today)

GRAND ISLAND — This week, the Heartland United Way Food Drive is taking place to benefit Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties.

The largest food drive will be held at Husker Harvest Days, September 10-12, at the bus entrance from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Husker Harvest Days is located at 9000 W Husker Hwy in Wood River. At Husker Harvest Days, FFA students receive free admission to the event with a minimum donation of five non-perishable food items.

Food donations continue in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties to provide food to local families in need through local food banks, backpack programs and shelters. The Heartland United Way Food Drive is made possible by community participation, FFA chapters and these generous sponsors: Husker Harvest Days, Aurora Cooperative, Farm Progress, Nebraska Farmer and
Pipe.

Donation drives were held at local grocery stores from Thursday, August 29 through Monday, September 9. Community food donation locations are at Heartland United Way, Hometown Market, Hy-Vee, Jim’s Foods, Kerry’s Grocery, MNO Hometown Market, Osceola Food Mart, Super Saver on 2nd Street, Super Saver 5 Points, and Whitefoot Market. Hy-Vee and Super Saver have $5 and $10 donation bags with a variety of non-perishable groceries. Suggested groceries include proteins, casseroles, dry boxed items, canned fruits and vegetables, juices, and spices.

Food items donated by FFA groups at Husker Harvest Days and by community members at local grocery stores during the Heartland United Way Food Drive will be distributed to food pantries and backpack programs on Friday, September 13 at Third City Christian Church, 4100 W. 13th St, Grand Island. These donations will provide meals for families in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties.

In 2023, 112 FFA chapters and 9 grocery stores participated in the food drive to collect a total of 15,100 pounds of food. This food was then distributed to 22 organizations, which provided 12,584 meals.

For more information, call Heartland United Way at 308-382-2675 or visit www.heartlandunitedway.org

Heartland United Way, thanks to